Chapter 8 (1997-1998)

The air in Florence smelled of orange blossoms and nerves on the morning of May 20, 1998. The streets around Artemio Franchi buzzed with an energy unseen since the days of Calcio Storico. Pablo Lombardi, now prematurely gray at 40, watched from his balcony as fans painted violet murals on the walls. Today wasn't just a Champions League final against Real Madrid—it was the day his eight-year project would bear its sweetest fruit.

In the locker room, Buffon, just 20 but with the eyes of a veteran, tightened his gloves. Beside him, Zamorano methodically wrapped his ankles in tape. No words were needed. They all knew what was at stake.

The Weight of History

The Amsterdam Arena was a cauldron as the teams took the field. Madrid, with Mijatović, Raúl, and Seedorf, wore their pedigree like armor. Fiorentina walked with the calm of those who'd earned their place.

First Half:

11': Raúl pounced on a defensive error to beat Buffon. 0-1.

32': Zidane, hounded by Redondo, carved open the defense with a surgical pass. Batistuta slotted it home. 1-1.

The match became a tactical chess game. Pablo's preparation shone:

Cafú neutralized Roberto Carlos on the flank.

Zamorano dropped to mark Seedorf, freeing Del Piero to ghost into space.

Second Half:

67': Batistuta received the ball at the edge of the box, feinted twice, and let it roll. Zamorano steamed in like a freight train to head it home. 2-1.

The stadium erupted. The Chilean sprinted to the corner, kissing his badge as Buffon roared like a madman in goal.

89': Madrid's lethal counter ended with Raúl's elegant finish—until Buffon's feline leap tipped it onto the post.

The final whistle unleashed bedlam. Fiorentina's first Champions League title.

The Celebration That United a City

For three days, Florence ran violet. In Piazza della Signoria, Zamorano and Buffon led fans in anthem-like chants. Pablo, from the Palazzo Vecchio balcony, saw more than joy in the crowd: he saw belonging.

"We didn't win a trophy," he told Cafú. "We won a piece of history."

The ever-wise Brazilian replied:

"Then we'll have to win more."

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